Did you know that according to 2025 supply chain data, small businesses lose an average of $2,000 every year simply because they can't find items they know they’ve already bought? It’s a staggering number that I didn't truly believe until it happened to me. Back in October of 2025, I found myself standing in my storage unit at 11:00 PM, frantically tearing through boxes of vintage denim looking for a specific pair of 1990s Levi’s that I’d just sold on eBay for $150. I knew I had them. I’d seen them two weeks ago. But because my "system" was just a messy Google Sheet, I spent three hours and two gallons of sweat only to realize I’d accidentally left them at my sister’s house. That was the night I realized that manual tracking is a death sentence for a growing business. Transitioning to a dedicated inventory app wasn't just about organization; it was about reclaiming my sanity.
Since that denim disaster, I’ve spent the last few months testing every tool under the sun to find the perfect fit. Whether you’re a reseller like me, a homeowner trying to prep for insurance claims, or a retail manager, the landscape of inventory software has shifted dramatically as we’ve moved into 2026. Automation is no longer a luxury; it’s the standard. We’ve moved past the era of clicking "save" on a desktop file and into an era where our phones do the heavy lifting for us.
Finding the right inventory management app for your business
When you start looking for an inventory management app, the first thing you’ll notice is that "one size fits all" is a total myth. I remember my first honest failure when I tried to use a high-end enterprise system—I think it was a Lite version of NetSuite—for my little vintage shop. It was like trying to drive a semi-truck through a drive-thru. I spent more time trying to figure out the "logic" of the software than I did actually listing my items. (Lesson learned: more features doesn't always mean more profit).
For most small to mid-sized sellers, a simple inventory managment app like Sortly or Zoho Inventory is the sweet spot.These platforms prioritize ease of use over complex ERP features. They allow you to take a photo, scan a barcode, and set a location in about ten seconds. Here’s where it gets interesting: the 2026 updates for these apps now include predictive restocking. My app actually pinged me last Tuesday to tell me that my shipping supplies were low based on my average sales volume over the last month.
Now the tricky part is deciding if you want a standalone tool or something that integrates with your sales platforms. If you sell on eBay, Poshmark, or Mercari, you really need a system that "talks" to your marketplaces. This prevents the nightmare of "ghost inventory" where an item sells on one platform but stays live on another. Using inventory softwarethat offers multi-channel sync is no longer optional if you want to scale without getting banned for "out of stock" cancellations.
Is there an app to keep track of inventory at home for insurance?
Common question I see: is there an app to keep track of inventory for my personal belongings? I didn't think I needed a home inventory app until a pipe burst in my basement last summer. Trying to remember every single power tool,collectible, and piece of high-end camping gear for the insurance adjuster while my floor was three inches deep in water was a special kind of hell.
In 2026, the gold standard for personal use is the NAIC Home Inventory app or Nest Egg. These are designed specifically for homeowners and renters. You walk through your house room by room, take photos, and scan barcodes. I admit, I was skeptical at first about the "barcode scanning" for home items, but it’s a lifesaver. I scanned my coffee maker, and it immediately pulled up the current retail value, the manual, and the warranty info.
But wait, there's a limitation you should know about. Most free versions of these apps cap the number of items or photos you can store. If you have a massive collection of sneakers or rare books, you might find yourself hitting a paywall pretty fast. I personally use the paid version of Nest Egg because it allows for cloud backups—which is vital because if your phone gets destroyed in whatever disaster you're documenting, a local-only backup is useless.
Does costco app show store inventory? Updates for 2026
I get asked this at every family dinner: does costco app show store inventory yet? For years, the answer was a frustrating "sort of." But as of January 2026, the Costco app has rolled out its "Warehouse Inventory" feature nationwide.It’s a total game-changer for those of us who do "retail arbitrage" or just hate wasted trips for Kirkland toilet paper.
To see it, you open the app, go to the "Warehouse" tab, and select your local store. There’s now an "In-Stock Search" bar that actually pulls real-time data from the shelf. I tested it last Thursday for a specific set of outdoor string lights. The app said "12 in stock," and when I arrived, there were exactly 12 on the pallet. (I was so impressed I actually told the manager,which made me look like a total nerd, but I don't care).
However, I’m still a bit uncertain about how it handles high-velocity items. During a big sale, the lag between a sale at the register and the app update can still be about 15-30 minutes. So, if the app says there’s only 1 left of a hot item, you’re still taking a bit of a gamble. But compared to the "blind" shopping we were doing in 2023, this is a massive upgrade.
How to get walmart inventory management app for your shop
If you’re a Walmart Marketplace seller, you’ve probably wondered how to get walmart inventory management appfeatures to work for your own bookkeeping. While employees use the "Me@Walmart" app for internal stock, third-party sellers rely on the Walmart Seller App. In 2026, this app has been overhauled to include a "Price Mirror" and "Inventory Insights" tab.
I started using the updated Seller App in late 2025. It allows you to see exactly where your WFS (Walmart Fulfillment Services) stock is located and alerts you if there are "dormant" items that are just eating up storage fees. But here’s where it gets interesting: the app now integrates with some third-party inventory tracking programs.
Now the tricky part: Walmart’s app is notoriously "buggy" after major iOS updates. I had a week in December where the inventory counts were showing as zero even though I had 500 units in the warehouse. I almost had a heart attack. If you’re serious about high-volume sales, you shouldn’t rely on the marketplace app alone. You need a dedicated inventory management software free or paid tool that acts as your central source of truth.
Best options for inventory management software free and inventory app free
Let’s talk about money. Everyone wants a "forever free" tool, and while "free" usually comes with strings attached, there are some great inventory app free options in 2026. If you’re a solo entrepreneur or just starting out, you don't need a $200/month subscription.
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Square for Retail: This is my top pick for free inventory tracking. If you use Square for payments, the inventory management is built-in and surprisingly robust. You can manage unlimited items and get low-stock alerts without paying a dime (though they take a cut of your sales, obviously).
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Zoho Inventory: They offer a "Free Forever" plan that is perfect for small businesses moving under 50 orders a month. It includes one warehouse and two users.
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Odoo: If you’re tech-savvy, Odoo’s "One App Free" plan is incredible. You can choose the Inventory module and get almost enterprise-level power for $0.
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Sortly: Still the best for visual learners. Their free tier allows for 100 items, which is plenty for a home inventory or a very curated boutique.
I personally used the free version of Square for my first year. It was great, but the limitation was the lack of "deep" reporting. I couldn't see my "days to sell" metrics, which is why I eventually upgraded. But for getting off the ground, an inventory management software free plan is the smartest move you can make.
How to create an inventory app or how to make an inventory app from scratch
I’ve had several tech-leaning friends ask me how to create an inventory app because they wanted a hyper-specific workflow that "off the shelf" tools didn't offer. I’m not a coder, but I’ve learned that in 2026, you don't need to be.Learning how to make an inventory app has become a "no-code" weekend project for many.
Using platforms like Glide or AppSheet, you can turn a Google Sheet into a fully functional mobile app in about an hour.I tried this back in 2024 for a specific "private collection" I was managing. I just had columns for "Item Name," "Photo," and "Status." I connected the sheet to AppSheet, and suddenly I had a button on my phone that would let me update the status with a single tap.
Now the tricky part is the "barcode logic." If you want your custom app to actually scan codes and look up product data,you’re getting into some more complex API territory. But if you just need a simple "Check In/Check Out" system for a small team, making your own is a great way to save on monthly fees. (And it makes you feel like a total genius when you show it to people).
Maximizing profits with inventory tracking programs and inventory software
At the end of the day, an inventory app is just a tool. It’s what you do with the data that makes you money. In 2026, the best inventory tracking programs aren't just lists; they are diagnostic tools. I use mine to identify my "Death Pile"—the items that have been sitting for more than 90 days.
I’ve found that using Closo Sourcing in conjunction with my inventory data allows me to pivot my business faster than ever. If my app tells me that vintage hats are selling in 3 days but vintage jackets are taking 45 days, I stop buying jackets and go all-in on hats. It’s that simple.
Here’s where it gets interesting: the "visual" aspect of an inventory software is often overlooked. Being able to see a grid of my items instead of a list of text helps me spot trends in color and style that I would have missed in a row-and-column format. (I realized last month that I was accidentally over-buying "brown" items just by looking at my Sortly dashboard).
People always ask me: Can I use Excel instead of an app?
Common question I see: "Why can't I just use a spreadsheet? It's free and I already know how to use it."
I admit, I loved Excel for a long time. But the limitation is the "mobile moment." If you're at a thrift store and you see a cool lamp, you don't want to be scrolling through a tiny spreadsheet on your phone trying to see if you already have three of them. An inventory app with a search bar and photos is just 10x faster.
Common question I see: Is my data safe in these apps?
Something everyone wants to know: "What happens if the company goes out of business?"
This is a valid fear. I lost a week's worth of data in 2024 when a small startup app I was testing just vanished from the App Store. My advice is to only use established inventory software that allows you to export your data to a CSV or Excel file at any time. I do a "hard export" of my entire inventory every Sunday night, just in case.
Step-by-Step: Setting up your first inventory app
If you're ready to make the jump, follow this specific workflow to ensure you don't get overwhelmed:
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The Purge: Don't catalog junk. If you haven't looked at it in a year, sell it or donate it before you add it to your inventory management app.
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Pick Your Primary Tool: Start with Sortly or Square if you're a seller, or Nest Egg if you're a homeowner.
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Batch Processing: Don't try to do everything at once. Commit to cataloging 10 items a day.
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The Barcode Test: Scan every item first. If the app doesn't recognize it, then take the photo and add the manual description.
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Set Locations: This is the part I missed for years. "In the garage" isn't specific enough. Use "Bin A1" or "Shelf 4."
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Use Closo Free Sharer: Once your inventory is cataloged and listed, use the Closo Free Sharer to keep those items active on Poshmark while you focus on the next batch.
I use Closo to automate my inventory management—it saves me about 3 hours weekly—and it’s the only reason I’ve been able to grow my shop to over 1,000 active listings without losing my mind.
If you're looking for more advanced tips on managing your returns or sourcing new stock, check out our 2026 Reseller Growth Strategy. I’ve also written extensively on Mastering eBay SEO and How to Scale Your Poshmark Closet, which are essential reads once your inventory is under control.
Honest failures: The "Auto-Restock" disaster
I promised to share my failures, and this one still stings. In early 2025, I turned on an "Auto-Restock" feature on a new inventory management software free trial. I’d set a rule that if my "Packing Tape" fell below 2 rolls, it should order 5 more.
What I didn't realize was that I’d made a typo and set the "reorder quantity" to 50 instead of 5. Two days later, a pallet of 50 rolls of packing tape arrived at my front door. It cost me $600 and took up half my garage for six months. The lesson?Automation is amazing, but you have to double-check your "rules" before you set them live.
This is why I now prefer the Closo 100% Free Returns model for my business. It gives me a layer of human-in-the-loop protection that prevents these kinds of automated nightmares. It’s about finding the balance between "high tech" and "high touch."
Conclusion: The 2026 inventory reality
As we move further into 2026, the gap between "organized" and "chaotic" is only getting wider. The resellers and homeowners who thrive will be the ones who treat their assets with respect. An inventory app isn't just about knowing what you have; it’s about having the data to make better decisions for your future.
My honest assessment is that you should stop looking for the "perfect" app and just start with one today. Whether it’s a home inventory app or a professional inventory management app, the act of starting is 90% of the battle. You can always switch platforms later, but you can never get back the time you spent looking for a lost item.
I use Closo to automate my inventory management—it saves me about 3 hours weekly and keeps my sanity intact during the busy holiday seasons.
